I think it would be more accurate to say this is a re-purchase and not a review, because I’ve used this rinse out hair treatment mask before and I KNOW it works. This is a salon based product, which of course, you can buy much cheaper online from the usual suspects (see end of article). It does seem that the majority of Kérastase Nutritive Masquintense fans were first introduced to this treatment mask by their hairdresser, as I was. Seeing is believing, as they say, although in this case, it’s more like feeling is believing.

I did mention in this post about Kérastase Résistance Mousse Volumactive, that I was restocking my favourite Kérastase products. I’m at the age where I’m only interested in quality hair products, fortunately, that doesn’t always translate as the most expensive, but sometimes you DO get what you pay for and this is true with this particular hair mask.

Kérastase hair products are coloured coded, each range is formulated for specific hair problems. Kérastase Nutritive Masquintense is for dry, sensitised hair. I have regularly used more products from this collection than any other.

This sumptuous treatment ensures a high level of nourishment covering the whole hair from root (don’t put it on roots, hair will get greasy, concentrate on mid length to ends) to tip, replenishing your hair with moisture.

DIRECTIONS:

Apply 1 to 2 hazelnut more like walnut sized amounts of product into the hair section by section.

Massage gently into the hair from root below root to tip.

Leave for 5 minutes. No, 20 minutes for maximum benefit

Add a little warm water, emulsify.

Rinse thoroughly.

Because it IS so expensive, I really want to get the most out of this hair mask. After shampooing, rinsing and very gently, towel drying, I apply a generous couple of walnut (I’m sticking with the nut analogy) sized blobs.

I massage from mid way down from the roots to the ends. I wrap my hair in clingfilm, put a shower cap on over it and over that, sometimes, a warm towel – glamorous or what? I leave it on for at least 20 minutes. If my hair is behaving particularly badly, I’ll skip the towel part and sleep in the plastic shower cap, yeah, alluring I know.

Be warned though that if you use the mask overnight, the next morning you hair will be extremely soft after rinsing the product out; your hair probably won’t be able to hold a style but it will be silky straight (maybe a tiny bit flattish if you like volumised hair). What we’re doing here is getting abused hair back to a nourished and moisturised state, all hairstyles benefit from a deep conditioning treatment. You won’t even need your Tangle Teezer, the comb will glide through to the ends.

Out of all the hair treatments I’ve tried, and I’ve been through a lot of Kérastase products in particular, this is my all time favourite. I would say that you’ll notice a massive difference at around three weeks, if used twice a week. After that, use once every two weeks as a top up.

SCENT

The texture is a cross between a gel and a thick cream but the scent, which lingers on your hair, is very distinctive. I wouldn’t describe it as floral exactly, more ‘expensive hair salon’ I personally love it but I know a lot of people have very strong feelings on how it smells:

IT STINKS! smells like INTENSE baby powder or old grandma smell, and just reeks really bad it is so strong.

I’m not a huge fan of the scent though. It is VERY heavily scented. It has a floral scent and to me it smells like an old-fashioned soap or an old lady’s perfume. I’m not usually sensitive to smells but this one really bothers me.

Whilst we’re on the subject of scent, I can sniff out a fake review a mile off. This glowing prose caught my eye:

It’s got a silky smooth texture that works into the hair really well. Unlike some other Kerastase masques, this has almost no smell.

That’s the one thing you CAN’T say about this hair mask!

REVIEWS:

I had really dry and thin hair before, since I never really knew how to take care of it. The thing with Kerastase is that you have to wait a long time before it shows the result, but it is worth it!

This conditioner completely changed my hair. I first was introduced to it at a salon, and while I thought it was insanely expensive (at least compared to the grocery-store brands I had been using) it is WORTH EVERY PENNY.

I couldn’t wait to try the Kérastase Masquintense as my hair is naturally curly and dry. Straightening it frys my hair and gives me dry ends. After using this product I found that my hair became softer and easier to manage. It’s a definite must have. Don’t waste money on cheaper alternatives, get this and the tub will last you ages as you only have to use a small amount.

This is the one treatment I keep returning too when my hair is in need of a good tonic! It has a gorgeous fragrance and a beautiful silky texture. Pure nourishment for dry/damaged hair giving the hair a healthy look and feel. One of the best treatments that never fails to deliver!

I only use this once a week because unfortunately this is very expensive, but I’m willing to pay that much due to how it leaves my hair feeling.

Oh oh

This Kérastase Masquintense is not a bad product, but unfortunately for my extremely dry, lifeless, thin long hair not as efficient as I was hoping. Besides it is expensive and the packaging is very unpractical (slippery when wet -TRUE!).

A lot of the very positive reviews are from women with dry and colour/bleach damaged hair:

My hair has been damaged after having a colouring disaster. I have been using this product for nearly a week now and the condition has improved quite dramatically. It’s no longer dry, frizzy and flyaway, but sits smoothly and feels nice and soft. Works brilliantly, you won’t regret the cost.

It works great on processed and dry hair. I love it and have used this product for over a year and will continue to use it. Highly recommend.

My hair was very dry and damaged after color treatment, being exposed to the sun and saltwater. I was recommended this product by the hairdresser. After only using it a couple of times my hair was improved tremendously, I really recommend this product. Leaves your hair silky smooth and nourishes it – no more dry hair.

One of the best products I have used. Makes my dry hair feel soft and silky. I have bleached hair, and would totally recommend this product for coloured, dry, frizzy hair!

RECAP:

Check the mask out at a hair salon shop (UK salon finder) first, to see if you can tolerate the scent.

After shampooing, rinsing and towel drying, apply a walnut sized amount about a third of the way down from the roots to the ends.

Use twice a week for about 20 minutes (longer if possible), with hair kept ‘warm’ (it’s from the heat on your scalp) in a plastic cap (or clingfilm).

Remember that, even though it doesn’t weigh hair down, hair will be very silky afterwards and probably won’t hold a ‘serious’ curly or wavy style.

Official UK Kérastase site (some intense hair reading here, you will want EVERY single product). Also, that’s Kate Moss on the home page, I didn’t recognise her!